Enclosure and organizer for telecommunication lines and splices

ABSTRACT

An enclosure includes a closable housing defining an internal cavity, the housing having an open position and a closed position. A pivot tray is mounted within the internal cavity of the housing and is pivotable between a secured position and an unsecured position when the housing is in the open position. In the secured position, the tray defines a first compartment on a first side of the tray and a second compartment on a second side of the tray. Only the second compartment is accessible when the housing is in the open position and the pivot tray is in the secured position.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to enclosures fortelecommunications cables. More particularly, the invention relates toenclosures for containing telecommunication lines and telecommunicationline splices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Telecommunication cables are ubiquitous and used for distributing allmanner of data across vast networks. The majority of cables areelectrically conductive cables (typically copper), although the use ofoptical fiber cables is growing rapidly in telecommunication systems aslarger and larger amounts of data are transmitted. A telecommunicationcable typically includes a bundle of individual telecommunication lines(either optical fibers or copper wires) that are encased within aprotective sheath. As telecommunication cables are routed across datanetworks, it is necessary to periodically open the cable so that one ormore telecommunication lines therein may be spliced, thereby allowingdata to be distributed to other cables or “branches” of thetelecommunication network. The cable branches may be further distributeduntil the network reaches individual homes, businesses, offices, and soon.

At each point where a telecommunication cable is opened, it is necessaryto provide some type of enclosure to protect the exposed interior of thecable. Commonly, the enclosure has one or more ports through whichcables enter and/or exit the enclosure. Once inside the enclosure, thecable is opened to expose the telecommunication lines therein.Conventional telecommunication enclosures are constructed to facilitatethe management and protection of individual telecommunication lines andsplices thereof. For example, conventional enclosures have re-enterablehousings and are designed to incorporate splice trays to assist acraftsman in creating a splice connection between two telecommunicationlines. Once all required splices are made, the enclosure is secured toprotect the opened portion of the cable from moisture, dust, insects,and other hazards.

After an enclosure is closed and secured, it must satisfy severaltechnical performance requirements to ensure reliable protection of theopened portion of the cable and various other electronic or opticalcomponents within the enclosure. For example, the enclosure must satisfyvarious environmental related requirements, such as corrosion and insectresistance, and must be able to withstand predetermined externalpressures and impact forces without failing. Polymer enclosures aregenerally preferred, as they most easily satisfy the environmentalrequirements, in addition to being more easily produced. However,polymer materials often have more difficulty satisfying the pressure andimpact requirements. According to current performance requirements suchas Telcodia GR771, enclosures for some applications (such as hand-holeinstallations) must be capable of withstanding an external pressureequivalent to a 20 ft. (6.1 m) water-head and an impact force of 100ft-lbs (13.84 kg-m) without leaking, collapsing, cracking, or otherwisefailing. These particular performance requirements are somewhatconflicting, because a rigid enclosure is preferred for satisfying thepressure testing requirement, while a resilient enclosure is preferredfor satisfying the impact testing requirement. As a result, enclosureshaving sufficient rigidity to withstand the external pressurerequirements are often so rigid as to crack or shatter when subjected tothe impact requirements, while enclosures having sufficient resiliencyto withstand the impact requirements often incur substantial deflectionthat can cause damage to internal components when subjected to theimpact and external pressure requirement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention described herein provides an enclosure forreceiving at least one telecommunications cable. In one embodiment, theenclosure comprises a closable housing defining an internal cavity, thehousing having an open position and a closed position. A pivot tray ismounted within the internal cavity of the housing and is pivotablebetween a secured position and an unsecured position when the housing isin the open position. In the secured position, the tray defines a firstcompartment on a first side of the tray and a second compartment on asecond side of the tray. Only the second compartment is accessible whenthe housing is in the open position and the pivot tray is in the securedposition.

In another embodiment, the enclosure comprises a housing longitudinallyextending from an open first end to a closed second end. The housingdefines an internal cavity extending in the longitudinal direction, theinternal cavity having a circumferential shape in a direction transverseto the longitudinal direction. A base member is configured forattachment to the open first end of the housing to provide an enclosedconfiguration. The base member defines at least one port configured forpassage of at least one telecommunications cable therethrough. A supportbasket is connected to the base member, wherein the support basketextends longitudinally within the internal cavity of the housing in theenclosed configuration. The support basket is shaped to substantiallyconform to the circumferential shape of the internal cavity. A pivottray is pivotably mounted to the support basket, wherein the pivot traydefines a closure compartment between a first side of the pivot tray andthe support basket and a terminal compartment on a second side of thepivot tray opposite the closure compartment.

In another aspect, the invention described herein provides an organizerfor use with telecommunication lines and splices thereof. In oneembodiment, the organizer comprises a fiber management tray configuredfor mounting within an enclosure and fiber retention structures formedon both the first and second sides of the fiber management tray.

In another aspect, the invention described herein provides an enclosurefor receiving at least one telecommunications cable. In one embodiment,the enclosure comprises a closable housing defining an internal cavity,and a support basket mounted within the internal cavity of the housing.The support basket is selectively configurable for use with flat splicetrays, hinged splice trays and optical/electrical components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily toscale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designatecorresponding similar parts.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective illustration of one embodiment of anenclosure having a support frame according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration showing the support frame of FIG. 1attached to a base of the enclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the support frame and base ofFIG. 2 showing splice trays being stacked.

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the support frame and base ofFIG. 3 showing the support frame filled with splice trays.

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration showing a bracket for adapting thesupport frame of FIGS. 1-2 for use with hinged splice trays.

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration showing the adaptor bracket of FIG.5 installed in the support frame of FIG. 2 and receiving a plurality ofhinged splice trays.

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration showing the hinged splice trays ofFIG. 6 assembled in the support frame.

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of the enclosure and support frameof FIGS. 1-2 used with a pivot tray dividing the enclosure into separateclosure and termination compartments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of the enclosure of FIG. 8, showingthe pivot tray positioned to allow access to the closure compartment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration of an alternate support bandconfiguration.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective illustrations of a dual-sided splicetray usable in the enclosure of FIGS. 8 and 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The illustratedembodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodimentsaccording to the invention. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may bemade without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thefollowing detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims.

For purposes of clarity, the invention is described herein as used withtelecommunication cables or simply “cables” having one or moretelecommunication lines therein. However, such use is exemplary only,and it is understood and intended that the present invention is equallysuitable for use with other types of cables including, but not limitedto, electrical power cables, optical fiber cables, copper wire cables,coaxial cables, drop lines, branch lines, and distribution lines, toname a few. Similarly, the invention is described herein as used withtelecommunication line splices, or simply “splices”. However, such useis exemplary only, and it is understood and intended that the presentinvention is equally suitable for use with other types ofinterconnections including, but not limited to, splices, connectors,hybrid connectors, and optical or electrical components as are known inthe art, to name a few.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary enclosure 20 according to oneembodiment of the invention is illustrated in an exploded ordisassembled condition. The enclosure 20 includes a base 22 and ahousing 24 removeably securable to the base 22. The base 22 includes atleast one port 26 for receiving a telecommunications cable (not shown).The ports 26 allow passage of a single cable, or multiple cables incombination with a sealing member as is known in the art. The base 22may have one, two, or any other number ports 26 as is required for aparticular enclosure 20. The housing 24 is hollow and defines alongitudinal internal cavity 30 extending from a first end 32 to asecond end 34 of the housing 24. The internal cavity 30 has acircumferential shape in a direction transverse to the longitudinaldirection. An opening at the first end 32 of the housing 24 is shapedand sized to fit over and engage with the base 22 in a conventionalmanner. When engaged, the base 22 and housing 24 provide protection forthe internal components of the enclosure 20 from weather, insects andother external hazards.

In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 24 and cavity 30 therein aresubstantially oval in transverse cross-section, and the closed secondend 34 of the housing 24 is substantially dome-shaped. The base 22 has asubstantially oval cross-section in the transverse direction thatmatches the shape of the open end of the housing 24. However, inpractice, the shapes of the base 22 and housing 24 are not so limited,and in other embodiments the housing 24 and base 22 may have othershapes and cross-sections. For example, shape of the transversecross-section of the housing 24 and base 22 may be substantiallycircular, rectangular, square, or any other shape as is required ordesired for a particular application. The closed second end 34 of thehousing 24 may likewise be any suitable shape. In other embodiments, theclosed second end 34 of the housing 24 is not monolithically formed withthe remainder of the housing 24, as shown in the illustrated embodiment.For example, in other embodiments the housing 24 may comprise anassembly of components, such as a longitudinal hollow body having twoopen ends, wherein a cap or other similar device is used to form theclosed second end 34. In one embodiment, the housing 24 is made withoutinternal or external rib members, thereby requiring an increase inhousing material (e.g., polymer) strength to meet external pressurerequirements, at the expense of a compromised ability to satisfy theimpact requirements.

A support frame 40 is secured to the base 22 by one or more mountingbracket portions 42 extending from the frame 40. The mounting bracketportions 42 in the illustrated embodiment are configured to be securedto the base 22 by bolts or screws (not shown). In other embodiments, thesupport frame 40 may be secured to the base 22 by any conventional meansincluding, but not limited to bolts, screws, interlocking elements onthe frame 40 and base 22, adhesive, or any other suitable means. Thesupport frame 40 is shaped to extend longitudinally into the internalcavity 30 of the housing 24 when the enclosure 20 is closed. The supportframe 40 includes at least one portion 44 that provides support aboutsubstantially the entire circumference of the internal cavity 30 ofhousing 24 at between the first end 32 and the second end 34 of thehousing 24 to prevent excessive deflection or collapse of the housing 24under excessive force or pressure. In one embodiment, the support frame40, and in particular portion 44, is configured to be in contact withthe walls 46 of the internal cavity 30 to minimize deflection of thehousing 24. In another embodiment, the support frame 40, and inparticular portion 44, is spaced from the walls 46 of the interiorcavity 30 to provide clearance for installation of the housing over thesupport frame 40 and to allow a predetermined amount of deflection ofthe housing 24. In one embodiment, the support frame 40 is spaced fromthe interior walls 46 of the housing 24 by a distance of about 10% orless of the internal diameter of the interior cavity 30. For example,for an internal cavity 30 having an internal diameter of about 8 inches,the frame 40 is spaced from the interior walls 46 by a distance of about0.8 inches or less.

In one embodiment, mounting bracket portions 42 are integrally formedwith support frame 40, such as by stamping frame 40 and mounting bracketportions 42 from a single piece of sheet metal, molding frame 40 andmounting bracket portions 42 as a single unit, or overmolding frame 40onto mounting bracket portions 42. In another embodiment, mountingbracket portions 42 are separately formed from support frame 40 and thensecured to frame 40 using any suitable conventional means, such asscrews, bolts, welding, adhesive, etc.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment the support frame 40includes a generally U-shaped support basket 50 having an exteriorsurface configured to substantially conform to a first portion of thecircumferential shape of the internal cavity 30, and a generallyU-shaped support band 52 having an exterior surface configured tosubstantially conform to a second portion of the circumferential shapeof the cavity 30. Together, the support basket 50 and the support band52 provide support about the circumference of the internal cavity 30 ofthe housing 24 by closely conforming to the circumferential shape of thewalls 46 of internal cavity 30. The combined support basket 50 andsupport band 52 reinforces the walls 46 and provides resistance andlimits the deflection of the housing 24 under heavy external pressure,such as caused by water or ice. It also deflects and absorbs impactforces protecting the telecommunication lines and splices therein. Thesupport basket 50 also protects telecommunication lines therein bypreventing accidental pinching of the lines during installation of thehousing 24 on the base 22.

For purposes of description, the end of the support basket 50 nearestthe base 22 will be described as being the “bottom” of the supportbasket 50, while the end of the support basket 50 furthest from the base22 will be described as being the “top” of the support basket 50. In theillustrated implementation, the support band 52 is positioned such thatit supports the housing 24 near a midpoint along the length of thesupport basket 50. In other embodiments, the support band 52 ispositioned closer to the bottom of the support basket 50 or closer tothe top of the support basket 50, depending upon the portion of thehousing 24 containing critical telecommunication lines and componentsthat are desired to be protected under external pressure and impactforces. In the illustrated implementation, the support band 52 extendslongitudinally along the internal cavity 30 for only a portion of thelength of the support basket 50. In other embodiments, the support band52 may extend longitudinally along up to the. full length of the supportbasket 50. In one embodiment, the top 53 of the support basket 50 may beconfigured to conform to the shape of the closed second end 34 of thehousing 24, and so as to aid in containing and protectingtelecommunication lines during installation and removal of the housing24 from the base 22.

The support basket 50 is configured to manage and protecttelecommunication lines and splices therein. In one embodiment, thesupport basket 50 extends substantially the full length of the internalcavity 30 of the housing 24. In other embodiments, the support basket 50does not extend the full length of the internal cavity 30. In oneembodiment, the support basket 50 conforms to about one half of thecircumference of the internal cavity 30. In other embodiments, thesupport basket 50 conforms to more than about one half of thecircumference of the internal cavity 30. In other embodiments, thesupport basket 50 conforms to less than about one half of thecircumference of the internal cavity 30. Although only a single supportband 52 is illustrated, more than one support band 52 may be secured tothe support basket 50.

The support band 52 may be secured to the support basket 50 usingconventional techniques. In one embodiment, the support band 52 isreleasably secured to the support basket 50, so as to provide full andeasy access to the interior of the support basket 50. For example, inthe exemplary embodiment the support basket 50 includes slots 60 shapedto receive tabs 62 extending from the support band 52. The slots 60 andtabs 62 may optionally be provided with interlocking features to preventinadvertent disengagement of the support basket 50 and the support band52. During installation or when working within the enclosure 20, thesupport band 52 can be removed, and then reinstalled prior to securingthe enclosure 20. In other embodiments, the support band 52 ispermanently secured to the support basket 50. In one embodiment, supportband 52 is integrally formed with support basket 50. In one embodiment,the support band 52 is secured to support basket 50 by a hinge member,thereby allowing the support band 52 to be rotated out of the way whenaccess to the interior of the support basket 50 is required. In anotherembodiment, support band 52 is a separate hoop that slidingly engagesand surrounds support basket 50. Those skilled in the art will recognizeother suitable configurations and means for securing the support band 52to the support basket 50.

The support basket 50 is configured to support, maintain and managetelecommunication lines and splices in several different manners,depending upon the requirements of a particular installation. In oneimplementation, telecommunication lines and splices may simply bepositioned within the interior of the generally U-shaped support basket50, without any other type of telecommunication line management features(such as splice trays, excess line holders, optical/electricalcomponents etc.). In other implementations, telecommunication linemanagement features are used with and incorporated into the supportbasket 50. For example, the illustrated support basket 50 and supportband 52 may be used with different types of splice trays. In particular,the support basket 50 may be used to support stackable trays 66 (FIGS.3-4) or hinged trays 68 (FIGS. 6-7).

Referring to FIGS. 3-4, the support basket 50 is shown using stackablesplice trays 66. Support basket 50 is provided with support tabs 70 thatprotrude into the interior of the support basket 50. Support tabs 70serve as mounting or support points for flat splice trays 66 as areknown in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the support tabs 70 arepositioned such that a plurality of flat splice trays 66 may besupported in a stacked manner. The number of splice trays 66 that can besupported depends on the size of the support basket 50 and the size ofsplice trays 66. In the illustrated embodiment, up to four (4) splicetrays 66 can be supported (see FIG. 4). In one embodiment, holes 72 inthe support tabs 70 mate with protrusions (not shown) on the splicetrays 66 and serve as locating features for the splice trays 66 andprevent the trays 66 from sliding after installation. The support tabs70 also aid in maintaining separate splice areas 74 andtelecommunication line slack storage areas 76 within the enclosure 20.In particular, upon installation of a splice tray 66 on the support tabs70, a storage area 76 for excess lengths of telecommunication lines isformed between the splice tray 66 and the interior surface of thesupport basket 50. Excess lengths of telecommunication lines are thuseasily accessible, but simultaneously prevented from interfering withsplicing of telecommunication lines on the splice trays 66. Holes orslots 78 in the support basket 50 may be used to secure slacktelecommunication line loops with for example, cable ties or other meansknown in the art. The splice trays 66 may be secured to the supportbasket 50 in any conventional manner. In one embodiment, slots 80 on theside of the support basket 50 may be used for mounting a strap (notshown) or other securing means which secures the splice trays 66 tosupport basket 50. In other embodiments, means other than or in additionto support tabs 70 may be used or provided to support trays 66. Forexample, mounting brackets (not shown) may be secured to support basket50, where different mounting brackets may be provided with differenttray configurations.

Referring now to FIG. 10, in one embodiment a support band 52′ isconfigured to support, maintain and manage telecommunication lines andsplices in a manner similar to support basket 50. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9, support band 52′ extends substantially the fulllength of support basket 50, and is configured similarly to supportbasket 50 to include support tabs 70′, holes 78′ and any other desiredfeatures for securing additional splice trays, telecommunication lines,and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, the support basket 50 is shown using hingedsplice trays 68 a, 68 b (collectively splice trays 68). When used withhinged splice trays 68, an adaptor bracket 82 is installed in thesupport basket 50. The adaptor bracket 82 provides mounting features forthe hinged splice trays 68, and further creates a telecommunication lineslack storage section 76 underneath the bracket 82. The adaptor bracket82 may be mounted on the support basket 50 using any suitableconventional means, such as screws, interlocking snaps, slidingengagement features, adhesive, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adaptor bracket 82 is secured to thesupport basket 50 in a hinged manner. The adaptor bracket 82 includeslateral protrusions 84 near its bottom edge. The lateral protrusions 84are configured to engage opposed openings 86 in the support basket 50near the bottom of the support basket 50, such that adaptor bracket 82may be rotated about the axis defined by the lateral protrusions 84. Inone embodiment, at least one of openings 86 is provided with a slot 87to capture a mating one of protrusions 84, such that the bracket 50 isheld in an open position. In this manner, the slack telecommunicationline storage area 76 under the adaptor bracket 82 may be easily accessedby rotating the bracket 82 and any splice trays 68 thereon out of theway. In addition, during installation and repair, a craftsman cancompletely remove the adaptor bracket 82 and any installed splice trays68 to ease the creation of splices. In one embodiment, the top end 83 ofthe adaptor bracket 82 is configured to be secured to top end 53 ofsupport basket 50 to prevent unintended rotation of the adaptor bracket82. In one embodiment, the adaptor bracket 82 and support basket 50 maybe secured together near the top of the support basket 50, such as by aretaining screw and/or a security wire, to prevent unauthorized accessto the slack telecommunication line storage area 76.

In one embodiment, the mounting features of the adaptor bracket 82 allowmore than one type or size of hinged splice tray 68 to be attached tothe adaptor bracket 82. For example, the adaptor bracket 82 may beconfigured to allow mounting of 5 mm thick splice trays 68 a and/or 10mm thick splice trays 68 bby selection of an appropriate mountingbracket 90 a, 90 b(collectively mounting brackets 90). With reference toFIG. 5, a mounting bracket 90 afor four 5 mm thick hinged splice trays68 aand a mounting bracket 90 bfor two 10 mm thick hinged splice trays68 bare shown. Mounting brackets 90 a, 90 binclude upturned opposedlateral edges 92 having grooves 94 shaped for snap engagement with pivotpins 96 extending from the splice trays 68 a, 68 b. Mounting brackets 90a, 90 bare removably secured to adaptor bracket 82, such that thedesired configuration of splice trays 68 a, 68 b(e.g., number and/ortype of splice trays) held by the adaptor bracket 82 can be modified tosuit a particular application. In one embodiment, each mounting bracket90 a, 90 bincludes a tab 95 extending from a top end which mounts in acorresponding slot 97 in the adaptor bracket 82 and thereby properlypositions the mounting brackets 90 a, 90 bon the adaptor bracket 82. Aretaining screw (not shown) extending through holes 98 at a bottom endof the mounting brackets 90 a, 90 bholds the brackets 90 a, 90 binplace. Mounting brackets 90 a, 90 bmay alternately be secured to adaptorbracket 82 using any other suitable means. Beneficially, tabs 99 formedon bracket 82 allow management and securing of telecommunication linesto the bracket 82 before entering into the hinged splice trays. Thisprovides the strain relief and organization of the telecommunicationlines.

As telecommunication networks are expanded, two separate craft crews mayneed to work within the enclosure 20. First, construction crews(typically having higher levels of skill and training) install theenclosure 20, open the cable to expose the telecommunication linestherein, splice into the telecommunication lines, and make it ready forthe final drop connection. At a later time, such as when a customersubscribes to a service, installation and repair crews (typically havinglower levels of skill and training) install a final drop connection tothe customer premise and turn the service on or off. Because of thediffering skill levels between the crafts, it is desirable to providecraft separation to prevent unwanted or unauthorized access (eitherintentional or inadvertent) to the telecommunication lines and splicesthereof to maintain and improve reliability and integrity of thenetwork.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, the support basket 50 as described above isshown as used with a pivot tray 100 providing separate splicing and dropconnection areas, commonly referred to as closure compartment 102 andterminal compartment 104, respectively, within the enclosure 20. In FIG.8 the pivot tray 100 is shown in the closed or “secured” position, whilein FIG. 9 the pivot tray 100 is shown oriented in the open or“unsecured” position. Craft separation is provided in the enclosure 20of FIGS. 8-9 by providing first compartment 102 (for splicing into thetelecommunication lines of the cable) and a second compartment 104 (forestablishing drop connections from the splice telecommunication lines).In particular, the pivot tray 100 separates and defines the first andsecond compartments 102, 104 on opposite sides of the pivot tray 100,such that first compartment 102 is adjacent a back side 106 of the pivottray 100 and second compartment 104 is adjacent a front side 108 of thepivot tray 100. For purposes of description, the back side 106 of thepivot tray 100 is that side facing toward the support basket 50, whilethe front side 108 of the pivot tray 100 is that side facing away fromthe support basket 50. The first compartment 102 is only accessible whenthe pivot tray 100 is moved (e.g., by pivoting) into the open orunsecured position as shown in FIG. 9, while the second compartment isaccessible simply by opening the enclosure, as by removing the housing24 from the base 22.

The pivot tray 100 is pivotably mounted to the support basket 50 in asimilar manner as adaptor bracket 82 described above. In particular, thepivot tray 100 includes lateral protrusions 110 near its bottom edge.The lateral protrusions 110 are configured to engage opposed openings 86in the support basket 50 near the bottom of the support basket 50, suchthat the pivot tray 100 pivots or rotates about the axis defined by thelateral protrusions 110 near the bottom of the support basket 50. Thetop end 112 of the pivot tray 100 is configured to be secured to the top53 of the support basket 50, such as by a retaining screw and/or asecurity wire, to maintain pivot tray 100 in the closed or securedposition and prevent unauthorized access to the closure compartment 102.

The pivot tray 100 includes connector mounting features 114 positionedon its front side 108, and splice forming, organization and managementfeatures 116 positioned on its back side. Referring to FIG. 8, the topportion of the front side 108 of pivot tray 100 is raised to form arouting compartment 118 and mounting face 120 for standard connectorcouplings 122, such as SC connector couplings. In one embodiment, therouting compartment 118 is configured to comply with bend radiusrequirements of optical fibers. Mounting face 120 may be angled relativeto front side 108 to ease engagement and disengagement of connectorcouplings 122 and maximize space for the connector and its strain reliefboot.

Referring to FIG. 9, a splice tray 124 is mounted on or integrallyformed with the back side 106 of the pivot tray 100. Positioning thesplice tray 124 on the back side 106 of the pivot tray 100 (instead ofmounting the splice tray on the support tabs 70 of support basket 50, asshown and describe with respect to FIGS. 2-4) helps for easy routing ofthe connector pigtails from the splice tray 124 to the connectorcouplings 122 located in mounting face 120 on the front side 108 of thepivot tray 100. In addition, storage space 76 for slacktelecommunication lines remains between the splice tray 124 on the backside 106 of the pivot tray 100 and the support basket 50 when pivot tray100 is in the closed or secured position.

When establishing drop lines from the enclosure 20, several types ofconnections may be accommodated. Some drop cables may havepre-terminated pigtail connectors that can simply be plugged into theconnector couplings 122 mounted onto the front (terminal compartment)side 108 of the pivot tray 100. Other drop cables may require a fusionor mechanical splice be formed between a pigtail connector fiber and thedrop cable fibers. In this case, slack lengths of the pigtail connectorfibers can be stored and managed on the flat front side 108 of the pivottray 100. In one embodiment, a splice tray or splice holders can bemounted on or integrally formed with the front side 108 of the pivottray 100 to allow splicing of the drop cable fibers to the pigtailfibers in the second (terminal) compartment. In one embodiment, as shownin FIGS. 1A and 1B, a pivot tray 100′ includes a fiber management tray126 having fiber retention structures 127 integrally formed on one of orboth back side 106 and front side 108. Fiber retention structures 127are configured for management and storage of telecommunication lines andelements thereof (e.g., holding loops of optical fiber and/or spliceholders of the types known in the art). Fiber management tray 126 mayalso be configured to accept and retain one or more splice trays (notshown) of the types known in the art.

In one embodiment, optical components (e.g., 1×N or 2×N power splitters,WDM, CDWM, DWDM, switches, etc.) can be mounted in a splice tray 124(FIGS. 3-7 and 9), held by fiber management trays 126 (FIGS. 11A and11B), directly mounted on back side 102 of pivot tray 100, or directlymounted on the support basket 50 or in the first compartment 76 areausing any suitable mounting means according to the applicationrequirement.

In one embodiment, pivot tray 100 is formed with multiple rows of thecouplings 122 to form a fiber distribution patch panel on front side 108of pivot tray 100, and optical components can be mounted as describedabove on the back side 106 of pivot tray 100 to support fiberdistribution point applications.

In other embodiments, a pigtail connection is made with thetelecommunication line in the enclosure and routed to an externalconnector (e.g. an OptitapTM connector made by Corning) positioned in aport 26 of the base 22, thereby allowing drop connection without furtheropening of the enclosure 20.

The pivot tray 100 beneficially allows any enclosure 20 initially havingonly a single compartment to be converted to an enclosure 20 havingseparate closure and termination compartments 102, 104, respectively,where such separate compartments are necessary or desirable. Althoughthe pivot tray 100 is illustrated with a particular support basket 50having a support band 52, use of the pivot tray 100 is not so limited.In particular, the pivot tray 100 may be installed in any suitableenclosure 20, with or without a support basket 50. Where a supportbasket 50 is used, the configuration of the support basket 50 may beadapted to the particular size and shape of the enclosure 20, and use ofa support band 52 as described herein is not required. For example,where deflection of the housing 24 is not a concern, pivot tray 100 maybe used with a support basket 50 similar to that illustrated, butwithout the support band 52. Where deflection of the housing 24 is aconcern, the support band 52 can be used. In other implementations, thepivot tray 100 may be pivotably mounted directly to the enclosure 20,without using a support basket 50.

In each of the embodiments and implementations described herein, thevarious components of the enclosure 20, support frame 40, and elementsthereof are formed of any suitable material. The materials are selecteddepending upon the intended application and may include both polymersand metals. In one embodiment, the base 22 and housing 24 are formed ofpolymeric materials by methods such as injection molding, extrusion,casting, machining, and the like, while the support frame 40 andcomponents thereof are formed of metal by methods such as molding,casting, stamping, machining the like. Material selection will dependupon factors including, but not limited to, chemical exposureconditions, environmental exposure conditions including temperature andhumidity conditions, flame-retardancy requirements, material strength,and rigidity, to name a few.

Although described herein generally with respect to telecommunicationcables, telecommunication lines, and telecommunication line splices, itis within the scope of the invention that the enclosure 20, supportframe 40, pivot tray 100 and components thereof can be used and adaptedto many diverse applications, including (but not limited to)telecommunication cables, electrical power cables, optical fiber cables,copper wire cables, drop lines, branch lines, distribution lines, pipesand conduits, to name a few.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described hereinfor purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety ofalternate or equivalent implementations may be substituted for thespecific embodiments shown and described without departing from thescope of the present invention. Those with skill in the art will readilyappreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a very widevariety of embodiments. This application is intended to cover anyadaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited onlyby the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. An enclosure for receiving at least one telecommunications cable, theenclosure comprising: a closable housing defining an internal cavity,the housing having an open position and a closed position; and a pivottray mounted within the internal cavity of the housing and pivotablebetween a secured position and an unsecured position when the housing isin the open position, wherein in the secured position the pivot traydefines a first compartment on a first side of the pivot tray and asecond compartment on a second side of the pivot tray, and wherein onlythe second compartment is accessible when the housing is in the openposition and the pivot tray is in the secured position wherein the pivottray includes a splice tray secured to the first side of the pivot trayand connector mounting features secured to the second side of the pivottray.
 2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the pivot tray is lockable inthe secured position.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The enclosure of claim 1, furthercomprising pluggable connectors installed in the connector mountingfeatures on the second side of the pivot tray.
 5. The enclosure of claim1, further comprising a support frame positioned within the internalcavity of the housing, wherein the pivot tray is mounted to the supportframe.
 6. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first compartment isconfigured to store slack lengths of telecommunication lines.
 7. Theenclosure of claim 1, wherein the pivot tray comprises a fibermanagement tray having integrally formed splice tray organizers on atleast one of the first and second sides of the pivot tray.
 8. Anenclosure comprising: a housing longitudinally extending from an openfirst end to a closed second end, the housing defining an internalcavity extending in the longitudinal direction, the internal cavityhaving a circumferential shape in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal direction; a base member configured for attachment to theopen first end of the housing to provide an enclosed configuration, thebase member defining at least one port configured for passage of atleast one telecommunications cable thererough; a support basketconnected to the base member, wherein the support basket extendslongitudinally within the internal cavity of the housing in the enclosedconfiguration, the support basket shaped to substantially conform to thecircumferential shape of the internal cavity; and a pivot tray pivotablymounted to the support basket, wherein the pivot tray defines a closurecompartment between a first side of the pivot tray and the supportbasket and a terminal compartment on a second side of the pivot trayopposite the closure compartment.
 9. The enclosure of claim 8, furthercomprising a support band secured to the support basket, the supportband shaped to substantially conform to the circumferential shape of thecavity, wherein the support basket and the connected support band extendaround substantially the entire circumference of the internal cavity.10. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein the pivot tray is lockable to thesupport basket to control access to the closure compartment.
 11. Theenclosure of claim 8, wherein the pivot tray comprises a splice tray onthe first side of the pivot tray and connector mounting features on thesecond side of the pivot tray.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled) 14.(canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. An enclosure for receivingat least one telecommunications cable, the enclosure comprising: aclosable housing defining an internal cavity; a support basket mountedwithin the internal cavity of the housing, the support basket shaped tosubstantially conform to a circumferential shape of the internal cavity;wherein the support basket is selectively configurable for use with flatsplice trays, hinged splice trays and optical/electrical components. 18.The enclosure of claim 17, further comprising a support band secured tothe support basket, the support band and support basket cooperating tolimit deflection of walls of the housing.
 19. The enclosure of claim 17,further comprising a pivot tray pivotably secured to the support basket,the pivot tray defining a first compartment and a second compartmentwithin the internal cavity of the housing.